Foldable display panel with collapsible support



April 5, 1949- J. 1.. LARKIN 2,466,599

FOLDABLE DISPLAY PANEL WITH COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT Filed Jan. 11, 1944 sSheets-Sheet 1 I raven/Z02.- J0: mesl'll azficz'n byfily g 10 r2432;

April 5, 1.949., J. L. LARKIN 2,466,599-

FOLDABLE DISPLAY PANEL WITH COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT Filed Jan. 11, 1944 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 April s, 1949. J. L.LARKIN I 2,466,599

FOLDABLE DISPLAY PANEL WITH COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT Invenior: v JamsLl)(12%; n.

213 a, a M Wm Zia? E8 Patented Apr. 5, 1949 ,1 NI'I'ED star EF FOLDABLEDISPLAY PANEL WITH COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT Application January 11, 1944,Serial No. 517,791

Claims. 1

This invention relates to displays such as are commonly used in storewindows, etc., and which embody a panel suitably decorated as with anattractive picture and with or without accessories supported on thepanel, such as auxiliary representations or actual samples ofcommodities. Such panels are ordinarily provided with an easel orsimilar support for-holding them in an upright position. They arefrequently of large dimension such as might suitably be given in termsof feet.

To insure the delivery of the panel in good condition to the user it isnecessary to protect the same in transit even although it itself is ofheavy cardboard. It has been usual hitherto to provide a separateshipping box of fiberboard or the like.

In accordance with my invention I provide a display comprising afoldable panel and a collapsible support, which latter in erected formserves to hold the panel in upright extended position, the support andpanel being proportioned for collocation when collapsed as a flat packetwith the folded panel between the parts of the support to be covered andprotected thereby throughout its area on both sides. Such a packetrequires a mere wrapping of paper to make a shipping package which willinsure delivery of the decorated panel to the user in good condition.

My invention will be well understood by reference to the followingdescription of illustrative embodiments thereof shown by way of examplein the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away showing the foldedpanel housed within the collapsed support and requiring merely a paperwrapping to prepare it for shipment;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the support in erected form;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3, of Fig. 2, somewhat enlarged;

Fig. 4 is a back view in perspective of the panel extended;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the back of the display as erected foruse on a larger scale than Figs. 1, 2 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail section, somewhat enlarged, of the lower part of Fig.5 in the plane of one of the sides Fig. 7 is a transverse sectionthrough Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a back view in perspective of a modified form, erected indisplay position; and

Fig. 9 isa detail section, somewhat enlarged, of

panel, stiflens the upper edge.

the lower part of Fig. 8 in the plane of one of the sides.

In the drawings the panel has been designated as a whole by thereference letter P and the support by the reference letter S. Referringparticularly to Figs. l and 5, the panel P is a sheet of suitable heavycardboard bearing the matter to be displayed on its front face, not seenin the drawings, and divided by one or more transverse fold lines illinto strips I2 capable of being folded together in superposed relationto provide a flat packet as seen in Fig. l. The end portions of thestrips Ill may have vertical fold lines Hi defining the lateral flangeportions it which when the parts are erected (see Figs. 5 and 7) may befolded rearwardly to provide stiffening flanges for the extended panel.A similar flange I8 may be provided at the upper end of the panel which,bent more or less to the rear out of the plane of the The constructionof panel as so far described is not in itself new.

The collapsible support S for the panel is constructed of heavyfiberboard and, when erected, forms a prismatic column (see Fig. 5),hereina triangular prism and therefore of indeformable cross section. Asbest seen in Fig. 2, the support S comprises two sides 2!} hingedtogether along two of their edges corresponding to the vertex of atriangle and provided at opposite edges of the sides with the flanges 22and 2G adapted to overlap and to be interlocked (see Fig. 3) by opposedslots in the edges thereof mutually interengaging in the manner of ahalving joint to form a relatively short base for the triangle. Theresult is a hollow rigid column. When the flanges 22 and 2 1 aredisengaged, they may be turned inwardly between the sides 29 which foldin a superposition to form a folio. The strips it of the panel P are ofno greater dimension than these sides 20 so that the folded panel may bereceived within said folio in the manner illustrated in Fig. l to becovered and protected thereby throughout its area on either side. Thecollapsed elements when so collocated, as seen in Fig. 1, form togethera flat packet which may be enclosed in a paper wrapping to form ashipping package and in which the support S, which is not on view Whenthe display is erected in use, protects the more readily damaged panelagainst breakage, bending or abrasion.

To use the display the support S is erected in the manner shown in Fig.2 and placed in position with the side herein formed by the flanges 22and 2 3 opposed to the back of the panel and traversing the fold linesit]. The twoparts may then be secured together at either end of thecolumn. The column serves to hold the panel extended, acting in themanner of a cleat across the folds I0, and it also, as seen in Fig. 5,is a support in the nature of an easel to hold the extended panelupright.

In the embodiment of the invention shown the lower ends of the sides 20at the rear (see Fig. are provided with diagonal fold lines definingfiat portions 26 which may be folded outwardly to form feet contributingto the stability of the structure, while the diagonal position of thefold lines provides a suitable rearward inclination to the support, asshown in Fig. 5. Forward of these flaps the sides are cut away toprovide tongues 28 (see Fig. 6) which interlock with slots 30 formed ina rearwardly foldable section 32 at the lower edge of the panel P. Theedges of this section may also be provided with notches 34 in line withthe slots to embrace the cut-away edges of the sides rearwardly of thetongues 28. By the means described or their equivalents the section 32is positioned in intersecting relation to the sides 20.

In-the embodiment of the invention shown the means for securing thepanel at the upper end of the column is different from that at the lowerend and comprises a piece 36 secured to the back of the uppermost stripI 2 of the panel and having a rearwardly unfolding free flap shaped topresent inwardly facing hook-like tongues 38 (see Fig. '7) adapted toextend at either side of the columnar l support S and enter slots formedin the sides 20.

We may suppose that the user receives the display in knock-down form asa flat packet in a paper wrapping. The wrapping being removed, the partsare as shown in Fig. 1. The panel is taken out from the support whichencloses the same and is laid out flat, face downwardly, as shown inFig. 4, while the support is folded up into prismatic form, as shown inFig. 2, and secured by interlocking the flanges 22 and 24. The supportis then placed with the base of the triangle down, that is, invertedfrom the position shown in Fig. 2, against the back of the extendedpanel as shown in Fig. 4, the upper end of the prism entering the spacebetween the hooks 38. The bottom flange 32 is folded up and the slots 30are engaged over the tongues 28. The hooks 38 are folded rearwardly andtheir points entered through the slots in the sides 20 of the support Sas illustrated in Fig. 5. The feet 26, if present, are bent outwardly tothe position shown in Fig. 5 and the structure stood up as shown in thatfigure. The flanges I6 and I8, if present,

are bent rearwardly to stiffen the margins of the panel and the displayis ready for exhibition.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9 partscorresponding generally in structure or function to those of the formshown in Figs. 1 to 7 are designated by the same'reference numeralincreased by 100. Thus the panel P has one or more fold lines IIOdefining the strips I I2 corresponding to the strips I2 between the foldlines I0 in Fig. 5.

The support S has sides I20 which form a folio of sufficient size toreceive between them the collapsed panel with the strips II2 foldedtogether in superposition and, in the erected position shown in thedrawing, these two sides extend dihedrally in a position correspondingto adjacent sides of a triangular prism with the third side along the.back of the extended panel. The edges of these sides I20 remote fromthe hinge line between them may be provided with flanges I22 and I24inthe arrangement shown in Fig. 8 these are 1 not directly connectedtogether to form a third side of the prism. They may be folded into theplane of the back of the extended panel, as illustrated in the drawings,herein outwardly, and their edges may be tucked under tabs I38 formed bythe unattached edge portions of strips secured to the back of the paneland providing a triotional clamping device for holding the flanges withthe sides I20 angularly disposed.

To further secure together the panel and the support and to aid inmaintaining the flanges engaged under the tabs I38 the panel may beprovided with a rearwardly folding bottom section I32 which when sofolded rearwardly intersects the sides I20 and herein the sides areprovided with slots I21 into which the section I32 enters and (see Fig.9) one wall of the slot is here shown as provided with a projection I28to jam frictionally against the section I32 to aid in relativelypositioning the parts, This is a frictional engagement, whereas in Fig.6 thecorresponding projection 28 is sufliciently long to enter a slot 30to provide a positive engagement.

The sides I20 are shown in Fig. 8 as provided with diagonal fold linesproviding portions I25 foldable outwardly to form feet like the feet 26in Fig. 5.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and Itherefore desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respectsas illustrative and not restrictive, as is in fact clear in severalmatters from the description itself. Reference is to be had to theappended claims to indicate those principles of the inventionexemplified by the particular embodiment described and which I desir tosecure by Letters Patent.

I claim:

1. A display comprising a panel having transverse fold lines definingstrips foldable together in superposed relation to provide a flat packetand a separable support comprising sides of a length as great as thewidth of the panel and a width as great as that of said strips toreceive between them when folded into opposition the packet aforesaid,the length of the sides of the support being such as to permit them toextend along the back of the panel across said fold lines, andinter-engaging means at the ends of said sides and adjacent the upperand lower ends of the panel respectively serving to position the supportwith its sides angularly disposed as a prismatic column along the backof the panel and crossing the fold lines of the same. I

2. A display comprising as separable units a support of sheet materialcomprising a pair of vertical sides hingedly connected along one pair ofedges to fold into superposition and a panel comprising a number offoldably connected strips of no greater dimension than the sides wherebythe panel with its strips folded together may be housed between thesides of the support as a flat packet, and means for detachably securingtogether the extended panel and the support with the sides of the latterdihedrally disposed behind the former and crossing the fold linesthereof.

3. A display comprising as separable units a support of sheet materialcomprising a pair of verticalsides hingedly connected along one pair ofedges to fold into superposition and a panel comprising a number offoldably connected strips of no greater dimension than said sides, andmeans for securing the extended panel to the erected support with thelatter crossing the fold line between the strips and with its sidesextending rearwardly from the extended panel, and means forinterengaging the erected support with the extended panel which, wheninterengaged, positions in spaced relation said sides of the support ata pair of edges other than the edges where they are hinged together.

4. A display comprising as separable units a support of sheet materialcomprising a pair of vertical sides hingedly connected along one pair ofedges to fold into superposition, said sides including portions foldablelaterally therefrom to provide feet for the support in the latterposition, and a panel comprising a number of foldably connected stripsof no greater dimension than said sides, and means for securing theextended panel to the erected support with the latter crossing the foldlines between the strips and with its sides extending rearwardly fromthe extended panel, and means for interengaging the erected support withthe extended panel which, when interengaged, positions in spacedrelation said sides of the support at a pair of edges other than theedges where they are hinged together.

5. A display comprising a support of sheet material comprising a pair ofvertical sides hingedly connected along one pair of edges to fold intosuperposition and a panel comprising a number of f-oldably connectedstrips of no greater dimension than said sides, and means for securingthe extended panel to the erected support with the latter crossing thefold lines between the strips and with its sides extending rearwardlyfrom the extended panel in angular relation one to another, said meanscomprising at at least one end of the display an edge portion of thepanel foldable as a rearwardly extending flange to intersect the sidesof the support, the flange and sides having conformations for retainingthem together in such intersecting relation.

6. A display comprising a collapsible prismatic supporting column ofsheet material including two sides hingedly connected along one pair ofedges to fold into superposition and having foldable flanges at theother edges with provision for looking them together to provide a thirdside, a panel comprising a number of relatively foldable strips of nogreater dimension than said sides, and tongue and slot connections forsecuring the unfolded panel at said third side of the column with thefold lines between the strips transverse to the height of the columncomprising elements cut from said sides and elements associated with thepanel to fold rearwardly therefrom to connect with the former.

'7. A display comprising as separable units a support of sheet materialcomprising a pair of vertical sides hingedly connected along one pair ofedges to fold into super-position and a panel comprising a number offoldably connected strips of no greater dimension than the sides wherebythe panel with its strips folded together may be housed between thesides of the support as a flat packet, and means for detachably securingtogether the extended panel and the support with the sides of the latterdihedrally disposed behind the former and crossing the fold linesthereof including hook-like members hinged at the rear of the panel andadapted to be engaged with the angularly disposed sides.

8. A display comprising as separable units a support of sheet materialcomprising a pair of vertical sides hingedly connected along one pair ofedges to fold into superposition and a panel comprising a number offoldably connected strips of no greater dimension than the sides wherebythe panel with its strips folded together may be housed between thesides of the support as a flat packet, and means for detachably securingtogether the extended panel and the support with the sides of the latterdihedrally disposed behind the former and crossing the fold linesthereof comprising flanges at the edges of said sides remote from thosewhich are hinged together, which flanges fold into the plane of theextended panel, the back of the panel having tabs beneath which theflanges tuck when the sides are angularly disposed.

9. A display comprising as separable units a support of sheet materialcomprising a pair of vertical sides hingedly connected along one pair ofedges to fold into superposition and a panel comprising a number offoldably connected strips of no greater dimension than the sides wherebythe panel with its strips folded together may be housed between thesides of the support as a flat packet, and means for detachably securingtogether the extended panel and the support with the sides of the latterdihedrally disposed behind the former and crossing the fold linesthereof comprising flanges at the edges of said sides remote from thosewhich are hinged together, which flanges fold into the plane of theextended panel, the back of the panel having elements thereon withunattached edges forming tabs beneath which the flanges tuck when thesides are angularly disposed.

10. A display comprising as separable units a support of sheet materialcomprising a pair of vertical sides hingedly connected along one pair ofedges to fold into superposition and a panel comprising a number offoldably connected strips of no greater dimension than the sides wherebythe panel with its strips folded together may be housed between thesides of the support as a flat packet, and means for detachably securingtogether the extended panel and the support with the sides of the latterdihedrally disposed behind the former and crossing the fold linesthereof comprising flanges at the edges of said sides remote from thosewhich are hinged together, which flanges fold into the plane of theextended panel, and means for clamping the flanges against the back ofthe panel with the sides in angular relation.

JAMES L. LARKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 815,235 Trum Mar. 13, 19061,603,622 Marsh Oct. 19, 1926 1,745,328 Ziemmerman Jan. 28, 19301,863,594 Glende June 21, 1932 1,890,258 Hinson Dec, 6, 1932

